Updated: Sunday, 08 Nov 2009, 11:17 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 08 Nov 2009, 11:17 PM EST
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - Parents accused of giving their 4-year-old daughter a fatal
overdose of prescription drugs will be in court this week for a
pretrial hearing.
Rebecca Riley was found dead on the floor of her parents'
bedroom in Hull in December 2006.
Prosecutors allege that Carolyn and Michael Riley
overmedicated the girl to keep her quiet and out of their way.
The Rileys' lawyers say they were only following orders from
their daughter's psychiatrist, who had diagnosed the girl with
bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The
defense claims the girl died of pneumonia.
The Rileys are due in Brockton Superior Court on Thursday
for a hearing on pretrial motions, including a bid by the defense
to bar testimony about her alleged history of getting more pills
than what was prescribed for Rebecca.